Au pair in America :

Au pair in America :

Official Au Pair in America Program InformationThere is an official program to be an au pair in America (also known as The United States of America, US or USA), which allows young people to work for a minimum of 12 months. There are eligibility requirements and certain conditions you must meet in order to work as an au pair in America. Above all, it is necessary to obtain a J-1 visa, which is done so through one of the government designated au pair in America agencies. Only citizens of countries with an au pair partner organisation are eligible to apply for the J-1 visa as an au pair in America.

EduCare is an au pair in America program for those families who have school aged children and require before and after school care. This program requires the au pair in America to work no more than 30 hours per week and no more than 10 hours per day for a weekly wage of $146.81. The host family is required to pay $500 towards educational expenses and the au pair is required to complete 12 hours of academic credit.Au pair in America Mandatory Criteria

An au pair in America must be between 18 and 26 years old

Have completed your secondary school education

Be proficient in spoken English

Have childcare experience. If looking after a child under 2, have recent childcare experience of at least 200 hours.

Agree to commit to a full year's stay in the USA and be prepared to provide up to 45 hours of childcare a week

Have no criminal record and provide a certificate of good conduct

Provide a certificate of good health

Hold a valid driver's licence

Be neither married nor have children

Have sufficient funds to pay for agency fee

Host Family in America Mandatory Criteria

Be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents and be fluent in spoken English

Childcare may only be provided to children aged 3 months to 18 years. An adult must be at home at all times for infants under 3 months of age

Adhere to working hours and pay regulations for an au pair in America

May not be family or a relative of the au pair, irrespective of the distance in relations e.g. third cousin, great aunt etc

Provide an appropriate bedroom and 3 meals per day

Pay up to $500 toward the cost of the au pair's required academic course work

Give the au pair one complete weekend off each month (Friday evening to Monday morning)

Facilitate the care provider's requirement to enrol in and attend an accredited post-secondary institution to fulfil the J-1 visa educational component requirement

Provide a minimum of two weeks paid vacation for each 12 month exchange term (prorated for extension periods of six or nine months), in addition to regular weekly / monthly time off

Include the au pair whenever possible in family meals, outings, holidays and other events

Host families and au pairs must sign an Agreement detailing the au pair's obligation to provide child care prior to the au pair's placement in the host family's home

Au Pair in America General InformationPocket Money

An au pair in America earns US$195.75 per week

Working hours, free time and holidays

An au pair in America must work up to 45 hours per week and no more than 10 hours per day

1½ days off per week plus a full weekend off each month (Friday evening to Monday morning)

Two weeks (10 days) paid vacation during a 12 month stay

Accommodation and Meals

An au pair in America must be provided with their own private bedroom and 3 meals per day. This also applies during holidays and illness

Travel Costs

Return airfare is paid for by the host family via the chosen agency

Language skills and courses

To be an au pair in America, you must be able to speak and understand English well

An au pair in America must take classes at an approved and accredited university, for which the host family must contribute $500

Prior to arriving at your host family, an au pair in America is required by the department of state to have an orientation and complete 32 hours of childcare training

Length of stay

An au pair in America placement is for 12 months

Designated au pair sponsors may request that an au pair in America participant be granted an extension of program participation beyond the original twelve months. Au pair in America program sponsors may request an au pair participant be granted an additional 6, 9, or 12-month extension of program participation

Repeat participation: A foreign national who successfully completed an au pair in America program is eligible to participate again as an au pair in America participant. Effective July 21, 2008, a foreign national who successfully completed an au pair in America program is eligible to participate again a participant provided that he or she has resided outside America for at least two years following completion of his or her initial au pair in America program. The repeat participant must qualify as an au pair in America under the same rules as an initial participant

An au pair in America may also apply for an extra month's stay to travel around America

Insurances

Basic medical insurance and in some instances, personal liability insurance are paid for by the host family via an agency / sponsor organisation. Au pairs are normally required to pay a fee to the agency as well. Fees and inclusions vary from agency to agency so please check with each agency for specifics. Please ensure you are fully covered

We also recommend having comprehensive travel insurance

Job Duties

Childcare is the primary duty of an au pair in America. Some housework will also be required. Please clarify housework duties with your host family and have this put in writing in your contract

Driving

In order to drive in America you will need a valid driver's licence. Check with the agency if your licence needs to be without infringement and if you will require an International Driving Permit

Should you be required by your host family to drive, you will need to make sure you have appropriate insurance and liability cover. The agency will be able to assist you further with this matter

Access to information for Transportation and Public Works by state can be found here

Visa InformationThe J-1 visa is issued by the U.S Department of State. The US Department of State website contains extensive information for host families and the au pair. The J-1 visa must be applied for through one of the government designated au pair agencies / sponsor organisations. The agencies are responsible for assisting with visa applications and for ensuring application requirements have been met by the au pair and host family. For further information, please contact one of the designated sponsor organisations which can be found here.The US Immigration Services website also provides an outline of information and requirements for how to become an au pair in the USA with the J-1 visa.